Ontario Traffic Manual
The Ontario Traffic Manual (OTM) is a comprehensive set of guidelines published by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) that provides standards and best practices for the design, application, and operation of traffic control devices across the province.
It is a critical reference used by municipalities, contractors, engineers, and safety professionals to ensure uniformity and safety on Ontario’s roads.
What the OTM Covers
The OTM is divided into multiple books, each focusing on specific areas of traffic control and road safety. Some of the most referenced include:
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Book 7 – Temporary Conditions:
The most widely used book, especially in construction and maintenance, it outlines traffic control plans, signage, and layout standards for temporary work zones. It ensures worker safety and efficient traffic flow during roadwork or emergencies. -
Book 5 – Regulatory Signs:
Covers stop signs, speed limits, and other regulatory signage that drivers must obey. -
Book 6 – Warning Signs:
Provides guidance on hazard-related signs (e.g., curves, intersections, wildlife crossings). -
Book 11 – Pavement, Hazard and Delineation Markings:
Details road markings such as lines, arrows, crosswalks, and tactile markings. -
Book 12 – Traffic Signals:
Standards for signal design, timing, placement, and control systems at intersections.
Why the OTM Is Important
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Safety:
Promotes safety for road users, pedestrians, and workers by standardizing signs, signals, and work zone practices. -
Consistency:
Ensures that traffic control devices are used uniformly across Ontario, reducing confusion for drivers. -
Legal Reference:
Often referenced in liability cases and used to assess whether traffic control at a site met minimum provincial standards. -
Training and Certification:
Used extensively in training for flaggers, traffic control persons, engineers, and construction supervisors to ensure they follow MTO-compliant practices.
Who Uses the OTM?
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Construction and roadwork contractors
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Municipal and provincial road authorities
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Traffic engineers and planners
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Health and safety trainers
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Utility companies
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Flagging and traffic control personnel
Click here for online training for the Ontario Traffic Manual Book 7.
Click here for online training for Traffic Control Person Book 7.